Here are a few important reasons why you will delight in integrating native plants in your garden:

Native plants are those that occur naturally in a region in which they evolved. They are the ecological basis upon which life depends, including birds and people. Without them and the insects that co-evolved with them, local birds cannot survive. Landscaping choices have meaningful effects on the populations of birds and the insects they need to survive. Audubon

Native plants preserve our local and regional biodiversity and are generally easier to grow and care for once they are established, needing little or no pruning, deadheading, watering, or fertilizing when properly placed in the garden and landscape.

Here are two fun and informative book recommendations with foundational ecological research by entomologist Dr. Doug Tallamy.

1. Bringing Nature Home
2. Nature’s best Hope

Photo Above: Red Fall Color on Pawnee Buttes Sandcherry. Photo by Lisa DiNardo.

Below are native shrub recommendations with exceptional characteristics that include beautiful and scented blossoms, attractive foliage, shrub stature, bark texture and fall color.

Tall Stature Shrubs

1. Silver Buffaloberry Shepherdia argentea

A tall stature and deciduous native shrub that grows 8′-12′ tall and as wide and is noted for its attractive silver foliage and bright red, edible fruit in the fall (female plants). It is tolerant of both drought and moist soil conditions but not prolonged soil saturation. It’s a preferred shrub for bird lovers and conservationists as the opulent fruit, thorns and the cover provided protect birds from predators. Both male and female plants are necessary for fruit production. Buffaloberry can be used as screen, as a single specimen or a windbreak. Prefers full sun. Zones: 3 to 9.

Photo: Silver Buffalo Berry Shepherdia argentea. Photo credit: NetPS Plant Finder.

2. Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra

A beautifully textured tall native shrub that grows 8′-15′ tall and as wide with an appealing tropical look that spreads by root suckers to form thickets that makes for excellent erosion control. It’s large leaves grow up to 18″ long and turn enchanting shades of bright orange to red in autumn. Large pale yellow-green flowers bloom in late spring to early summer, with separate male and female flowers appearing on separate plants. Female plants produce showy, erect, pyramidal fruiting clusters. Smooth Sumac can be used in a grouping, as background plant and as a specimen plant. Full sun to partial shade. The fruit is a favorite of birds. Zones: 3 to 9.

Photo: Smooth Sumac Rhus glabra. Photo credit: NetPS Plant Finder.

Medium and Small Stature Shrubs

1. Waxflower Jamesia americana

Waxflower is an elegant, native deciduous shrub that grows 3′-6′ tall with a 4′-6′ spread with beautifully textured heart-shaped green leaves that turn brilliant hues of bright orange and pink in the fall. In spring, fragrant white flowers appear and beautifully contrast with the flaking maroon bark. Prefers part to dappled shade, protect from the afternoon sun. A low water plant that requires good drainage. Plant by an entryway to enjoy the very fragrant blossoms or group under a tree canopy or shade garden. Deer resistant. Zones: 3 to 8.

Photo: Flower and leaf of Waxflower Jamesia americana. Photo by Anne Clark.

2. Pawnee Buttes Sand Cherry Prunus besseyi

Pawnee Buttes Sand Cherry is a low growing deciduous native shrub that grows 15”-18” tall x 4′-6′ spread. Its handsome green leaves turn bright red in fall. In spring, abundant fragrant white flowers cover this lovely foreground shrub. Drought tolerant after establishment. Full sun to partial shade. Pawnee Buttes is a dynamic groundcover shrub that beautifies the garden and landscape. Group in the foreground garden, Japanese garden, and as a weeping element to soften a rock wall. Zones: 4 to 8.

Photo: Pawnee Buttes Sand Cherry Prunus besseyi. Photo credit: NetPS Plant Finder.

3. Leadplant Amorpha canescens

Leadplant is a wonderfully delightful native shrub that grows 24”x 36” tall and as wide with deep green fern-like foliage that turns a soft yellow in the fall. In summer, abundant spikes of blue flowers make for a spirited show. A drought tolerant shrub that thrives in full sun/partial shade. A nitrogen fixing legume, its neighboring plants will appreciate the additional available nitrogen as it is an important essential element of many plant structures for both their internal and external metabolic processes. Leadplant adds beautiful texture and composition in the foreground garden, pollinator habitat, rock garden and is utilized as effective erosion control. Zones: 2 to 9

Photo: Leadplant Amorpha conescens. Photo credit: NetPS Plant Finder.